Mini Meatloaf Cupcakes
Updated Jun 09, 2026, Published Sep 01, 2016
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a fun play on trick or treat!
Looking for a Halloween dinner that’s equal parts spooky and delicious? These Mini Meatloaf Cupcakes are the ultimate trick-or-treat-inspired meal. They look just like frosted cupcakes, but inside they’re packed with savory meatloaf flavor and topped with creamy mashed potato “frosting.” Kids love the playful presentation, and adults appreciate that it’s a hearty, comforting gluten-free dinner disguised as dessert.
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Mini Meatloaf Cupcakes
Ingredients
- Gluten-free nonstick cooking spray
- 1½ pounds lean ground sirloin
- ½ medium white onion
- 1 large carrot, peeled
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Kosher or fine sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 2 pounds gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or dairy-free butter substitute
- ¼ cup buttermilk or dairy-free buttermilk substitute, see page 76
- 48 mini cupcake liners
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray 2 (24-count) mini muffin pans with cooking spray.
- Place the sirloin in a large mixing bowl. Grate the onion and carrot into the bowl using the large holes of a box grater. Add the garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, breadcrumbs, egg, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well to combine.
- Using a small ice cream scoop, divide the mixture into the prepared pans and press down lightly. Top each meatloaf with about ½ teaspoon ketchup. Bake for 15 minutes or until the meatloaves are cooked through.
- While the meatloaves are cooking, make the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large pot of heavily salted, cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the water from the pan and place the pan with the potatoes back on the heat. Cook, shaking the pan until they stop steaming, about 1-2 minutes. Place the potatoes in a mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment. Add 1 teaspoon salt and beat until smooth. Add the butter and buttermilk and beat until creamy.
- Pipe the potatoes on top of the meatloaves to look like frosting. (Can be made ahead up to this point and refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap. Reheat in a 300°F oven or microwave until warm.)
- Before serving, remove the meatloaves from the pan and place them in mini cupcake liners.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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